Tuesday, April 4, 2017

You Stay Classy, Loyola

Full disclosure: I watched one of my favorite movies, Anchorman, recently for the first time in a while so the following blog may contain several references to it. When you start law school, people are going to hammer the importance of networking into you. If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself wondering why it’s such a huge deal. Like Ron Burgundy, “I wanna say something. I’m gonna put it out there; if you like it, you can take it, if you don’t, send it right back.” Knowing how to network is one of the most pivotal skills to help you land a job. Don’t get me wrong, it can be intimidating to put yourself out there. I met with my career counselor early last semester to discuss my own concerns about effective networking. She gave me some pointers and helped me be more confident about the process of making connections. Using her tips, I was able to make some new contacts and I have been very fortunate to secure a position with a company which I have admired for years.

I also took advantage of Loyola’s mock interview program last month to learn about areas for improvement. Mock interviews can be incredibly helpful to prepare yourself and build your confidence for the real thing. As Brian Fantana would say, “They’ve done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time.” In all seriousness, my interviewer, H.P., was candid and helpful in showing me some things to work on prior to my real interviews. Additionally, while I’m typing this, Loyola is hosting the Spring Law Firm Reception where students can mingle with prospective employers and participate in mini interviews for summer positions. “Don’t act like you’re not impressed”—Ron Burgundy. One of the best things about Loyola is how the school’s career development team goes above and beyond to help provide opportunities for students to meet with employers. Even before finding summer employment, I felt confident knowing that career development services were available if I needed their help.

Life in law school can be craynar (a combination of crazy and gnarly). Shout-out to my classmates C.B. and C.B. for introducing me to this word. So, if you find yourself like Ron Burgundy in a “glass case of emotion,” turn to your career counselors. They will ease any fears you may have, give you some tips on how to improve your candidacy, and can share any details about workshops or seminars that may help with your career path.